WSU Tech Awarded $100,000 for New Metallica Scholars Initiative

WSU Tech Awarded $100,000 for New Metallica Scholars Initiative

Are you interested in becoming a Metallica Scholar?

We will soon be accepting applications for this rockin’ scholarship. More information is coming. Submit the request for info below to be one of the first to receive details of this exciting opportunity on how to become a Metallica Scholar: Women in Manufacturing.

Metallica Scholars

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Name
*

First

Last
*

Last

Email
*

Phone Number
*

Date

[Wichita,KS]—WSU Tech will be able to better support students preparing to enter the workforce thanks to a $100,000 Metallica Scholars Initiative grant designated for student support. The initiative is funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation (AWMH).

This major workforce education initiative provides direct support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. These programs provide skills and services to students who are looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program. WSU Tech is one of 10 community colleges from across the country chosen through a competitive proposal process to receive $100,000 to support students training to enter the American workforce. These students will become the first cohort of Metallica Scholars.

“WSU Tech is honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Metallica Scholars Grant,” said Dr. Sheree Utash, President of WSU Tech, “We look forward to advancing “Women in Manufacturing” with this funding in aviation sheetmetal, machining and welding. Building upon the success of WSU Tech’s Wichita Promise and Wichita Promise MOVE initiatives, WSU Tech is excited about the opportunity to engage women into pursuing career opportunities in the manufacturing industry.”

Partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), a Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents the nation’s 1,103 community colleges, the Metallica Scholars awards are designed to provide support of relevant job skill training for community college students, reinvest in communities that supported Metallica during its recent United States tours, and leverage the influence of Metallica to elevate the importance of career and technical education.

“The All Within My Hands Foundation and Metallica are proud to announce this major new initiative,” said Dr. Edward Frank, executive director of AWMH. “While the foundation continues our support for the fight against hunger and emergency community aid, we are now expanding our mission to include support for career and technical education. The goal of our Metallica Scholars Initiative is to improve career opportunities for community college students in the trades. Equally, we hope to raise the awareness of the tremendous importance, value and impact of the education provided by our nation’s community college system. The foundation and the band are thrilled by the quality of proposals we received from these colleges and are excited to do our part to help educate students so that they have the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying jobs in their communities.”

AWMH will work closely with AACC to implement and manage the program.

“Colleges across the country provide pathways to well-paying jobs through programs, services and training that lead to in-demand skills, certificates and degrees for students. These programs are responsive to the needs of local businesses and provide a pipeline of qualified workers to local industry. It’s a win-win for our students and the local economy,” said Walter G. Bumphus. Ph.D., AACC’s president and CEO. “For Metallica to see the benefit of these programs and invest in the communities that have supported them is a testament to the power of education and we are proud to do this work with them.”

In addressing why the foundation chose workforce education as part of its mission, Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s drummer and co-founder said, “All of us in the band feel fortunate that music has provided us the opportunity to be successful doing something we are passionate about. We want to share our success with others so that they can find a job where they can do the same.”

In keeping with AWMH’s philosophy of enabling Metallica to give back to communities that have supported the band, the recipient colleges are all AACC members and based in and around stops on Metallica’s 2017-2019 WorldWired Tour. The 10 sites are:

Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina

Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, Oregon

College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois

Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland

Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Lone Star College, The Woodlands, Texas

North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Spokane Community College, Spokane, Washington

WSU Tech (Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology), Wichita, Kansas

###

WSU Tech, formerly Wichita Area Technical College, is the state’s leader in modern technical education offering over 100 degree and certificate options in aviation, health care, manufacturing, design, information technology, police science, and business. In 2018, WSU Tech was named the 2nd fastest growing college among two-year colleges by The Chronicle of Higher Education. WSU Tech serves as managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS and is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a Kansas Board of Regents institution. For more information, visit www.WSUTECH.edu.

The AWMH Foundation was established in 2017 by Metallica as a means to invest in the people and places that have supported the band. It also provides a mechanism for Metallica’s fans to become engaged in philanthropy and volunteerism. The foundation is focused on supporting sustainable communities through workforce education (in addition to combatting hunger through an alliance with Feeding America), and is fully supported by the band, the AWMH board, and by fans. All expenses of the foundation are covered by the band, the board, and a few special friends, so that 100% of donations go to the organizations it supports. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, please visit www.allwithinmyhands.org.

As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for 12 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s nearly 1,200 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.

WSU Tech will be closed and classes will be canceled Wednesday, Dec. 5 in observance of the National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush.

Weather update: All classes are canceled and college offices will be closed Thursday, Feb. 7. For events at the college, contact the event organizer for more information. WSU Tech will resume its normal schedule on Friday, Feb. 8.